It was shouted: let the pagans not be elders. The voice of Faustino: I do not want an eldership, I want to be a Christian.
But now, my brothers, it was not necessary, it was not the counsel of the shepherds, to drive away the one who knocks, to delay the one who seeks; to judge the hidden things of the heart, and not to accept the manifest voice, was neither our counsel nor our intention. For we know how that merciful Lord, seeking profits everywhere from His money, warned the lazy servant who wished to judge what he did not see, and who was slothful in gathering his master's profits: Wicked servant, I condemn you out of your own mouth. You called me a stern man, reaping where I have not sown, gathering where I have not scattered. Therefore, you knew my greed. You ought to have given my money to the bankers, and I, coming, would have demanded it with interest. Therefore, we could not do anything but distribute the money of the Lord: He will be the collector, not only of his, but of all of us. Let us then fulfill the office of the distributor, not usurp the place of the collector. Brothers, this work set before your eyes is not ours, but God's. What has been done was not established by us, because neither did we hope for it: another was the intention, both yours and ours. You know what has been cried out here, you know: that the pagans may not be greater, that the pagans may not dominate the Christians. These things have been said: and because this name was in envy, many things have been shouted in this name with zeal for the house of God by the Christians; and the whole intent was nothing but that the pagan may not dominate the Christians. But that he about whom the outcry was made might be a Christian, was not thought of by the Christians: but was disposed by Christ. Truly it is fulfilled which is written: Many thoughts are in the heart of man; but the counsel of the Lord shall stand forever. This counsel was hidden: it was hidden, but it was impending. Men worked what they could: but Faustinus the money-changer emerged new from the workshop of Christ. Therefore, brothers, keep in mind the work of God. You sought one thing, you disposed another, you found another. We commend the work of our Lord to fellow servants. Let us love more what our Lord has done in it, than that which we wished to do: for his works are better. And we have heard his great and devoted voice: I do not want the preeminence, I want to be a Christian. Rejoice, exult, love more than you hated. Commend his work to Christ with prayers. Show a faithful, pious, friendly mind to the rudiments of the old man. For what difference does it make, whom you see now advanced in age? He came at the ninth hour to the vineyard, about to receive equal pay.
Even the pagans seem to celebrate the birthday of John.
We renew the Christian day in memory of your Charity; although it cannot happen that it be erased from your hearts by forgetfulness. But we commend this, because both the pagan and the impious due to some other reasons gradually become obsolete in their own causes, thus it seems the pagans also celebrate the same day. Badly, wickedly, unhappily: but how many are freed from this, it is before your eyes. These things will grow old; but do not help them, distinguish yourselves from them, seek divine things. We are about to celebrate the day of Saint John, John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Lord, the friend of the bridegroom, with all chastity, with all sobriety. When they admire you for being different from their joys, so they gradually follow: and all those things will grow old, and they will perish. Listen to the prophet, and see it fulfilled, see it done as predicted: Listen to me, you who know judgment. The prophet Isaiah, God through him. Listen to me, you who know judgment; my people, in whose heart my law is. Do not fear the reproach of men, and do not be overcome by their detraction; nor should you esteem it as great that they despise you. For just as a garment is consumed over time, and like wool is eaten by the moth. But my righteousness endures forever. Therefore, be secure, brothers, be completely secure. They grow old, diminish: they will end, either by believing, or by dying. No matter how much they clamor, no matter how much they indulge in carnal pleasure, no matter how much they babble wickedly and dance against the divine songs of Christ, they are fewer today than yesterday. Therefore, brothers, tomorrow we will celebrate, as I said, in the name of the Lord, Saint John the Baptist. After seven days, that is on the Sabbath day, we will also celebrate the natal day of the holy martyrs Peter and Paul.